Thecatamites’ Commercial Collection: 50 Short Games

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Stephen ‘thecatamites’ Murphy has given us Goblet Grottos, Space Funerals, Murder Dogs, Pleasuredomes and much more besides, and he’s never asked for anything in return. I’m tremendously pleased that, for the first time, it is now possible to exchange coin for the deliriously creative creations of one of fringe gaming’s strongest and strangest voices. For a minimum of four euros (higher prices are at the purchaser’s discretion), you’ll receive the titular FIFTY GAMES, each of which was made in a single day during 2013’s final months. Along with FIFTY GAMES, you’ll find yourself in possession of a loader for the FIFTY GAMES, essays on each of the FIFTY GAMES and illustrated notes about the project. A tremendous piece of history.

The collection doesn’t have a launch trailer, which is a terrible oversight on the part of thecatamites’ undoubtedly enormous marketing team, so I’m going to drop the opening theme to Space Funeral here instead.

I’m reminded of the IGF Pirate Kart, a collection of glitchy, imaginative constructions that are often directed toward deconstruction. The difference, of course, is that all of these games were made by one designer. Remarkable.

For Crime Zone alone, which pre-empts Kentucky Route Zero’s manipulation of perspective, thecatamites deserves to have treasures laid at his door.

Seriously. This middle-aged Californian woman has created the most evil music I’ve ever heard, certainly the most oppressive. And I listen to a lot of metal. When she comes up on shuffle I face the serious question of whether or not I have the mental fortitude to withstand her recitations for a couple minutes.

edit: oh god this as supposed to be a reply to the comment above. Since it isn’t let me add more content: HOORAY. I bought this immediately and can’t wait to dive in. When I have more time to play games. In the future.

All of the 50 games have music made by me or one of my friends. The older games where I used other people’s music aren’t included in the package and are still free. I don’t do that anymore + generally regret that I did but since the older games were generally constructed entirely around those songs I don’t see a way out short of basically deleting them all (which is still on the table) (give me two years).

That’s really great to hear! I’ll be happy to buy this after reading your response,

What upset me was seeing “White Waking” described in this article as “the opening theme to Space Funeral”, with no mention of the original artists. It is very heartening to hear that you make your own music or get permission now.

incidentally, this is the primary label on which Les Rallizes Dénudés “official” bootleg recordings are sold from, for anyone who’s interested: link to fusetronsound.com . White Walking is off of Double Heads.

Got this right away, I’m a huge thecatamites fan. The notes on each of the games adds a lot of context, and playing them all together is a very different experience from playing them on their own. It paints a sorta coherent picture of the author’s life at the time, instead of being really confusing and surreal.